EC Advice for HS Junior

Colleges and Universities A-Z Columbia University
1

<p>Hi, this is my first time posting anything but I really need some advice. </p>

<p>So for most of high school I have wanted to be a neurologist; I've done my EC'S to where they revolve around medical stuff (volunteer at hospital, dr. shadowing, etc...) so that when I apply to Columbia they see how focused and passionate I have been in that area.
However, I have recently had a change of heart and decided that becoming a neurologist is not the path for me. I have always been extremely passionate about writing and would love to do something in that field one day (book editor, writer, etc..).
Now I am at a loss as to how to proceed with my EC'S since all of them have revolved around the medical field, as well as how to incorporate my passions outside of school into my application for next year. I never really joined any clubs like Lit Mag or the school newspaper because I thought for sure I wanted to be a dr. I have however, won a few writing contests. Do I tell them how I am interested in the medical field as well as writing even though that no longer hold true? Any advice would be highly appreciated.</p>

<p>Thanks!
P.S. One of the reason's I no longer want to be a doctor is because I never excelled in Chemistry last year as well as any of my math classes , which were all Pre-AP (made some b's). I know that Columbia likes for students wanting to go in medicine to be well grounded in math and science. Although, this year I am in AP Biology with a 95 first semester, Anatomy and Physiology Honors with a 94. In AP English looks like I'm going to average a 97 first semester. If you need anymore info I'll gladly give it:)</p>

2

<p>I think you’re attacking the issue from the wrong perspective. Columbia et al. want INTERESTING students who will contribute to the overall student body, while exercising their own academic initiative to take advantage of the college’s resources.</p>

<p>Your “story” is not solely “doc wannabee with lots of pre-doc ECs” nor “writer in training w/lots of literary accomplishments”.</p>

<p>Are you interesting? How do you affect others? How have you excelled – in whatever? Job. Volunteerism. Personal hobby/research.</p>

<p>What’s your culm GPA? Have you excelled in an extremely rigorous curriculum? What are your ACT/SATs?</p>

<p>These are more important than how you fashion a “writer to be” package for Columbia.</p>

<p>Finally, no logical person should bank on any school w/admit rates like Columbia. You must craft a full list of colleges you’d like to attend, can afford, and will guarantee you at least one spot in Sept 2014.</p>

3

<p>While it certainly does not hurt to have ECs focused in the area you are interested in, like T26E4 said, you have to be interesting, which is communicated through your essays or interview (I didn’t get one). Since you seem to be interested in writing, this shouldn’t be a problem for you at all.</p>

<p>What I would do is keep up some science related ECs you have, while further involving yourself with writing related ECs and talk about your passion for both. It’s what I did and it seemed to work (engineerng/math and East Asian culture/history; I didn’t even have any ECs to support the history side). I’m saying all of this assuming your test scores, courseload, and GPA are things that you don’t need to worry about.</p>

<p>Just my two cents and by no means will this be guaranteed to get you in. </p>

<p>Sent from my GT-I9100 using CC</p>

4

<p>Thanks so much T26E4 and cuseas17! Great advice, I suppose I may be over thinking the importance of EC’S. My other stats are on the lower end of what’s accepted at Columbia ; I’ll just put most of my energy on improving those areas:)</p>

5

<p>As others have said, EC’s are not necessarily supposed to be focused on the major you would like to study…yours are good in that they show passion. What you can do if you are still concerned is list both neurology and English as potential majors on your application–Columbia’s supplement leaves room for three. Also remember that you do not have to commit to a major now–you can list neurology on your application and then change your mind if you get in.
Good luck!</p>

6

<p>Focus on your interest and experience in medicine, but give your Intended Major as English. Make sure to include “School Newspaper” among the ECs in which you’re interested. What you want to do is showcase your passion for medicine, while letting the admissions committee know that you will probably not be a pre-med major. That should also take the sting out of the bad chem grade; if you’re going to major in English or another humanities/social science discipline, Chem doesn’t really matter.</p>

<p>But don’t just cast aside everything you’ve done related to medicine, since that’s encompassed a lot of what you’ve devoted yourself to in high school. You do not have to want to be a doctor to be interested in medicine; you can be interested in medicine as a writer, fascinated by the human aspect of it and what it says about the human condition. There’s a lot of powerful writing out there about medicine. Being a writer could provide you with a different perspective on the healing process than being a doctor.</p>

<p>I would carefully craft your application, but I wouldn’t worry that you’ll appear conflicted. Assuming you’re actually a good writer and can write a great personal statement about your experiences in medicine, you’ll probably stand out far more than a generic pre-med applicant. Definitely highlight your writing awards, but don’t feel that you need to minimize your ECs/experiences related to medicine. Reinterpret them, maybe, but definitely use them as the subject matter for a great essay.</p>

<p>If you makes you feel any better, I had a very similar experience to yours. I excelled in science in 7th and 8th grade and really loved AP Bio and Chem, so I thought I wanted to be a scientist. After going to a summer program about medicine, I focused on becoming a physician and ended up working in a hospital. But I didn’t like Physics, found labs boring, and became increasingly interested in journalism and social criticism. When I applied, I wrote my personal statement about my experiences in the hospital (nearly fainting while watching a procedure). My conclusion was basically: “I don’t know if I’ll end up going to med school, but I’m fascinated by medicine.” I listed English as my intended major. </p>

<p>Once I got in, I realized I did not want to take pre-med classes, and ended up just taking humanities/social sciences classes. I started writing for publications and eventually got summer internships at media organizations. At this point, “pre-med” is just something I thought about in high school. So don’t worry—you won’t be defined by your high school ECs in college and beyond.</p>

<p>Of course, T26E4 is correct. Columbia rejects over 90% of applicants, so accept that you probably will not get in and find other schools that you love.</p>

7

<p>Thanks to pwoods and Deblerg:) I’m feeling better now regarding my various EC’s . I do have some safety schools, but considering I’ve wanted to attend Columbia since the 8th grade, getting in would be a dream come true (not getting in would be the death of a dream).
Because of this and how I feel I’m a skilled writer, I don’t think I will have any problems making my essays reflect the passion I fell towards the school and all it offers. My great essays, recs, hooks, etc… in addition to some luck will hopefully be enough.
Thanks to everyone for the great advice you all have given me; I did not expect it and it is greatly appreciated!</p>